WCU Alum Finds Purpose In Uplifting Nurses

Marianne G. credits her sister for encouraging her to attend 国产主播. Marianne had always dreamed of pursuing a career in medicine.

鈥淢y sister calls me ‘Half Dozen,’鈥 Marianne shared. 鈥淏y the time I鈥檓 done with school I鈥檒l have half a dozen degrees.鈥

While working in the corporate sector, Marianne said she remembered watching her sister return from her nursing shifts at the hospital and wishing she could pursue a similar path. 鈥淚 would tell her, 鈥業 just love medicine. It would be so cool to be in medicine.鈥欌

Her sister recommended Marianne volunteer at a clinical care extender program. Marianne thrived during her nearly 300 hours spent serving her community.

鈥淭here is a huge value to being in your community and getting exposed to so many things,鈥 Marianne said. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 the encouraging words you give a person working at a soup kitchen聽it was a good reminder for me to say, in spite of everything, I am so fortunate.鈥

Although Marianne realized her passion for community healthcare, life obstacles stood in her way of pursuing a formal nursing education. Marianne said it was another few years before her sister pushed her to consider nursing again.

After her sister suggested WCU, Marianne enrolled and graduated last year from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She called her WCU experience amazing and life-changing for her. She referenced the many available resources and quality education her professors provided.

鈥淚 looked into a lot of different programs and then I looked into West Coast and honestly, I can say with confidence, this program brought me this far,鈥 Marianne said. 鈥淚 felt every confidence I was going to do well not just because of me but the students they shaped us to be. They showed us how to succeed.鈥

One unique aspect to the program Marianne mentioned was the emphasis on self-care. As a single mom, Marianne said that was an area in which she struggled.

鈥淭hey really encourage self-care,鈥 Marianne said. 鈥淵ou adopt those methodologies. Here鈥檚 how you prepare to succeed聽I don鈥檛 know if other students realize the depth of that and understand how you can get burnt out if you don鈥檛 schedule self-care.鈥

These methodologies included scheduling time with family, getting enough sleep and effectively studying and balancing assignments. She also said she found great value in her mentors within the program. One such mentor was Julie France, the former聽director of nursing at WCU-Orange County.

She explained that it was France who encouraged her to return to WCU to teach. Today, Marianne has her own group of mentees and said she enjoys giving her time connecting with fellow nursing students. Marianne said she was inspired during her own experience as a new nursing student and that she strives to give back to her own alma mater any way she can. She noted the WCU mindset is one in which nurses uplift one another rather than tear each other down.

Marianne described the WCU call to action as a culture of change.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a community of nursing professionals coming together to inspire and motivate,鈥 she said.

Marianne said she finds her value in being part of this change and inspiring young nurses to support one another.

鈥淚t鈥檚 more than being in the profession for the money,鈥 Marianne said. 鈥淭hat won鈥檛 sustain you during those tough shifts. You have to be in it because you want to help.鈥 It鈥檚 all about knowing the kind of impact you can make on someone else鈥檚 life, she said.

鈥淚 circle back to the impact all these people and resources had on me,鈥 she said. 鈥淲ithout them, I probably would not have succeeded in the program.鈥

国产主播 is one place Marianne said she found that kindness, support and encouragement.

鈥淚t was every West Coast instructor, every act of kindness, encouragement and piece of feedback telling me 鈥榊ou鈥檙e going to be fine. Don鈥檛 be intimidated,鈥欌 she said. 鈥淭hat, to me, was what really made the biggest difference. They gave me the resources needed to succeed. I implemented them and they encouraged me every step of the way.鈥

Today, Marianne continues her involvement as a WCU alumna and current student in WCU’s Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program. She said that it was her experience at WCU that made her want to return.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what other people can say about their experience but for me it was something that makes me keep wanting to come back. I keep speaking to students and supporting and being part of that change,鈥 she said. 鈥淢y son always says he鈥檚 extremely proud of me.鈥

Marianne said it is her mission to continue being part of the WCU culture.


WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.